Radio frequency assembly environment test system and method of multi-station shared test equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of measurement and control, in particular to a radio frequency component environment test system and method for multi-station shared test equipment, and the system comprises a deployment module which is used for the deployment of resources; the execution module is used for controlling the proceeding of the test; the environment test module comprises an environment test box, and a plurality of radio frequency modules are arranged in the environment test box; the test module comprises a plurality of test stations which are in one-to-one correspondence with the radio frequency modules, the test stations are in communication connection with the radio frequency modules, and the test stations are used for supplying power to the radio frequency modules; the switch module is matched with the processor module and the environment test module and is used for controlling start and stop of the environment test module; and the network module is matched with the switch module and the test module and is used for transmitting the control instruction and forming an instruction transmission link. According to the test system, collaborative sharing of the environment test box and the vector network among multiple test stations can be realized through test time axis slice management and radio frequency channel switching.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of measurement and control technology, and in particular to a radio frequency component environmental test system and method for multi-station shared test equipment. Background Art

[0002] In order to verify the reliability of RF components, a large number of environmental tests need to be performed on RF components during the manufacturing process. Environmental testing equipment is expensive and has a long cycle. At present, environmental testing of RF components mostly adopts a manufacturing model in which one workstation occupies a set of test equipment, resulting in low equipment utilization. The Chinese patent with application number CN202410026682 discloses "a RF test scheduling system, method, test equipment and server", which is related to RF test scheduling, and discloses a test method based on test frequency band scheduling, but this technical solution has certain shortcomings, that is, it cannot adapt to the scheduling test needs of different RF components in the same frequency band, nor can it adapt to the injection test needs of environmental tests.

[0003] It can be seen that the current RF measurement and control technology still has room for improvement, and should be optimized to improve the utilization rate of equipment and meet more testing needs. Therefore, a more reasonable technical solution should be proposed to solve the technical problems existing in the existing technology. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to overcome at least one of the defects mentioned above, the present invention proposes a radio frequency component environmental testing system and method for multi-station shared test equipment. By configuring multiple stations to share the test equipment, the utilization rate of the equipment can be effectively improved, the capacity of the stations that can be simultaneously connected to a single set of test equipment can be expanded, and the automation of environmental testing can be supported.

[0005] In order to achieve the above purpose, the environmental testing system disclosed in the present invention can adopt the following technical solutions:

[0006] A radio frequency component environmental test system with multi-station shared test equipment, comprising:

[0007] Allocation module, used for allocating resources;

[0008] An execution module is used to control the conduct of the test;

[0009] Environmental test module, including an environmental test chamber, in which several RF modules to be tested are placed;

[0010] The test module includes a plurality of test stations, and the test stations correspond to the RF modules to be tested one by one. The test stations are connected to the RF modules for communication, and the test stations are used to supply power to the RF modules.

[0011] The switch module cooperates with the processor module and the environmental test module to control the start and stop of the environmental test module. The switch module is respectively connected to the radio frequency module for communication and input and output of radio frequency signals;

[0012] The network module cooperates with the switch module and the test module to transmit control instructions and form an instruction transmission link. When the network module is connected to the test module for communication, it is used to transmit test instructions and test results.

[0013] The test system disclosed above performs environmental tests on multiple stations based on a single set of test equipment through specific connections, resource coordination and test logic execution between the deployment module, execution module, test equipment and RF component test stations, thereby achieving the purpose of improving station utilization and increasing the capacity of a single set of equipment docking stations.

[0014] Furthermore, the allocation module can use a variety of solutions to implement the allocation processing of tasks, which are not limited to the only one. Here, optimization is performed and one feasible option is proposed. The allocation module includes:

[0015] Human-machine interaction unit A, used to display the test task information of each RF component test station and to control it through manual interaction;

[0016] A test task management unit is used to schedule the test tasks of multiple test stations in the system according to the test task information;

[0017] The test timeline control unit is used to control the test timeline;

[0018] The test resource scheduling unit is used to switch the connection between the network module and the RF input and output interfaces of multiple test stations, thereby realizing the scheduling of the network module between different RF stations.

[0019] Furthermore, the execution module can adopt a variety of solutions to execute the test task, which is not limited to the only one. Here, optimization is performed and one feasible option is proposed. The execution module includes:

[0020] Human-machine interaction unit B, used to limit the experimental status information of the current test station and to control it through manual interaction;

[0021] The test task processing unit is used to control the work of the test index test unit according to the scheduling instructions;

[0022] A test index testing unit is used to control the network module to perform test index testing and verification on the radio frequency component and transmit the test results to the test result storage unit;

[0023] The test result storage unit is used to feed back the test results to the human-computer interaction unit B for display and refresh, and write them into the database for storage.

[0024] Furthermore, some modules in the present invention can be integrated to improve the integration of the system. The specific integration method is not limited to a single one. Here, an optimization is performed and one of the feasible options is proposed: it also includes an industrial computer, and the deployment module and the execution module are integrated into the industrial computer. The industrial computer is communicated with the test module and is used to transmit scheduling instructions. The industrial computer is communicated with the switch module and is used to control the on and off of the switch module.

[0025] Furthermore, the network module can adopt a variety of composition schemes, and optimization is performed here and one feasible option is proposed: the network module includes a router and a vector network.

[0026] Furthermore, the switch module can be constructed in a variety of forms, which are not limited to a single one. Here, an optimization is performed and one feasible option is proposed: the switch module includes a radio frequency switch matrix.

[0027] The above content discloses the composition of the test system. The present invention also provides a test method, which is specifically described in the following content:

[0028] A radio frequency component environmental test method for a multi-station shared test device, using the environmental test system described above, comprising:

[0029] Generate several test tasks and set the task start time value;

[0030] Coordinate and schedule the test tasks and arrange the start-up plan of the test tasks;

[0031] Connect the RF components of the test task to be started to the transmission link and complete the test task; disconnect the RF components that have completed the test task from the transmission link; repeat the process until all RF components have completed the test task;

[0032] Human-computer interaction is maintained during the test task, and the test results are transmitted for display and storage.

[0033] Furthermore, when coordinating and scheduling the test tasks, the following process is used:

[0034] Get the test task;

[0035] Schedule test tasks;

[0036] Conduct experimental resource scheduling;

[0037] Sending a test start instruction to the execution module;

[0038] Wait for the execution module to feedback the test results. If the test task has not been completed, reschedule the test resources and start the test task until all test tasks are completed.

[0039] Furthermore, when executing the test task, it is implemented according to the following process:

[0040] Keep monitoring the test task information. When receiving the test task start information, perform the test task indicator test verification. Save the test verification results and send a test end signal to the deployment module, and the test task ends.

[0041] When the present invention is performing specific work, its working principle is as follows: the scheduling module runs on the industrial computer, and is connected to the environmental test chamber and the RF switch matrix through the hardware interface of the industrial computer to realize the coordinated switching of the vector network among multiple stations; the execution module runs on the RF component test station, and controls the vector network to test and verify the RF component through the hardware interface of the test station.

[0042] Compared with the prior art, some beneficial effects of the technical solution disclosed in the present invention include:

[0043] The test system of the present invention can realize the collaborative sharing of the environmental test box and the vector network among multiple test stations through test timeline slice management and radio frequency channel switching. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for use in the embodiments are briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only represent some embodiments of the present invention and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0045] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the composition structure of this environmental test system;

[0046] Figure 2 It is the workflow diagram of the deployment module;

[0047] Figure 3 It is the workflow diagram of the execution module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] The present invention will be further explained below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0049] In view of the problem of low equipment utilization and high cost caused by a single workstation occupying a set of test equipment in the prior art, the following embodiments are optimized and overcome the defects in the prior art.

[0050] Example 1

[0051] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a radio frequency component environmental test system for multi-station shared test equipment, including:

[0052] Allocation module, used for allocating resources;

[0053] An execution module is used to control the conduct of the test;

[0054] Environmental test module, including an environmental test chamber, in which several RF modules to be tested are placed;

[0055] The test module includes a plurality of test stations, and the test stations correspond to the RF modules to be tested one by one. The test stations are connected to the RF modules for communication, and the test stations are used to supply power to the RF modules.

[0056] The switch module cooperates with the processor module and the environmental test module to control the start and stop of the environmental test module. The switch module is respectively connected to the radio frequency module for communication and input and output of radio frequency signals;

[0057] The network module cooperates with the switch module and the test module to transmit control instructions and form an instruction transmission link. When the network module is connected to the test module for communication, it is used to transmit test instructions and test results.

[0058] The test system disclosed in this embodiment performs environmental tests on multiple stations based on a single set of test equipment through specific connections, resource coordination and test logic execution between the deployment module, the execution module, the test equipment and the RF component test station, thereby achieving the purpose of improving the station utilization rate and also increasing the capacity of the station docking with a single set of equipment.

[0059] Furthermore, the allocation module can use a variety of solutions to implement the allocation processing of tasks, which are not limited to the only one. Here, optimization is performed and one feasible option is proposed. The allocation module includes:

[0060] The human-machine interaction unit A is used to display the test task information of each RF component test station and is used for manual interaction and control.

[0061] Preferably, the human-machine interaction unit A displays information including the connection status between the test resources and the test station, the current task status of the test station, the task queue of the test station and the corresponding timeline information. The manual control function includes the addition, deletion and modification of the test station, and the priority adjustment, deletion and insertion of the test tasks in the test station.

[0062] The test task management unit is used to schedule the test tasks of multiple test stations in the system according to the test task information.

[0063] Preferably, the test task management unit arranges the test tasks of each RF component test station according to the state of the environmental test chamber and its state duration. The scheduling principle uses the test machine hours of a single task as the minimum granularity for time division multiplexing. The scheduling constraints are that the environmental state of the product to be tested is consistent with the state of the environmental test chamber and the total test machine hours of all test tasks under this environmental state is not greater than the duration of the environmental test chamber.

[0064] The test timeline control unit is used to control the test timeline.

[0065] Preferably, the test timeline control unit uses multithreading and timers to control the test timeline based on the test timeline calculated by the test task management unit.

[0066] Preferably, the test timeline control unit includes a test timeline main control thread, a time period timing thread and an interface refresh control thread. The test timeline main control thread manages the status and progress of all test time periods in the system, and triggers the test resource scheduling action on time according to the scheduling results of the test task management module; the time period timing thread uses software timer resources to accurately control the length of the time period; the interface refresh control thread uses software agent technology to feed back the time period status and progress information of the test timeline main control thread to the human-computer interaction interface.

[0067] The test resource scheduling unit is used to switch the connection between the network module and the RF input and output interfaces of multiple test stations, thereby realizing the scheduling of the network module between different RF stations.

[0068] Preferably, the test resource scheduling unit transmits the switch matrix switching instructions to the RF switch matrix through the LAN interface or the GPIB interface based on the VISA bus, completes the connection switching between the vector network and the input and output interfaces of the test station by controlling the RF path switching of the RF switch matrix, and performs time division multiplexing of the vector network between multiple stations.

[0069] The execution module can adopt a variety of solutions to execute the test task, which is not limited to the only one. This embodiment optimizes and adopts one of the feasible options. The execution module includes:

[0070] The human-machine interaction unit B is used to limit the experimental status information of the current test station and is used for manual interaction and control.

[0071] Preferably, the human-computer interaction unit B displays information including the current test product model, serial number, test progress, and test index test results. The manual control functions include test start, stop, pause, and resume.

[0072] The test task processing unit is used to control the work of the test index test unit according to the scheduling instructions.

[0073] The test index testing unit is used to control the network module to perform test index testing and verification on the radio frequency components, and pass the test results to the test result storage unit.

[0074] The test result storage unit is used to feed back the test results to the human-computer interaction unit B for display and refresh, and write them into the database for storage.

[0075] Preferably, the test result storage unit uses Microsoft's relational database SQL Server to manage and record the test results.

[0076] Some modules in this embodiment can be integrated to improve the integration of the system. The specific integration method is not limited to a single one. Teacher Ben Shu optimizes and adopts one of the feasible options: it also includes an industrial computer, and the deployment module and the execution module are integrated into the industrial computer. The industrial computer is communicated with the test module and used to transmit scheduling instructions. The industrial computer is communicated with the switch module and used to control the on and off of the switch module.

[0077] The network module can adopt a variety of composition schemes. This embodiment optimizes and adopts one of the feasible options: the network module includes a router and a vector network.

[0078] The switch module can be constructed in a variety of forms, which are not limited to a single one. This embodiment is optimized and adopts one of the feasible options: the switch module includes a radio frequency switch matrix.

[0079] Example 2

[0080] The content of the above embodiment 1 discloses the composition of the test system. This embodiment also provides a test method, which is specifically described in the following content:

[0081] like Figure 1 to Figure 3 As shown, a radio frequency component environmental test method for a multi-station shared test device adopts the environmental test system described above, including:

[0082] S1: Generate several test tasks and set the task start time value;

[0083] S2: Coordinate and schedule the test tasks and arrange the start-up plan of the test tasks;

[0084] S3: Connect the RF components of the test task to be started to the transmission link and complete the test task; disconnect the RF components that have completed the test task from the transmission link; repeat the process until all RF components have completed the test task;

[0085] S4: Maintain human-computer interaction during the test task, and transmit the test results for display and storage.

[0086] When coordinating and scheduling test tasks, the following process is followed:

[0087] S201: Get the test task;

[0088] S202: Scheduling test tasks;

[0089] S203: Perform test resource scheduling;

[0090] S204: Sending a test start instruction to the execution module;

[0091] S205: Wait for the execution module to feedback the test results. If the test task is not completed, reschedule the test resources and start the test task until all the test tasks are completed.

[0092] When executing the test task, follow the following process:

[0093] Keep monitoring the test task information. When receiving the test task start information, perform the test task indicator test verification. Save the test verification results and send a test end signal to the deployment module, and the test task ends.

[0094] When this embodiment is performing specific work, its working principle is as follows: the scheduling module runs on the industrial computer, and is connected to the environmental test chamber and the RF switch matrix through the hardware interface of the industrial computer to realize the coordinated switching of the vector network among multiple stations; the execution module runs at the RF component test station, and controls the vector network through the hardware interface of the test station to test and verify the RF component.

[0095] The scheme disclosed in the above embodiment is implemented, and an example is provided here for discussion and explanation.

[0096] Examples

[0097] like Figure 1 As shown, the environmental testing system described in the present invention can support 4 test stations for environmental testing based on 1 set of test resources. The system includes: 1 integrated industrial computer, 1 environmental test chamber, 1 vector network, 1 2X8 RF switch matrix, 4 test stations, 1 set of deployment modules and test execution modules.

[0098] The deployment module runs on an integrated industrial computer and includes a human-computer interaction unit A, a test task management unit, a test timeline control unit, and a test resource scheduling unit.

[0099] The human-machine interaction unit A is responsible for providing a human-machine interaction interface, which consists of a test status window and a test task display area. Users can configure test stations and adjust test tasks in the test task display area.

[0100] The test task management unit obtains the test task information from the enterprise MES in real time, and schedules the test tasks of each RF component test station according to the status of the environmental test chamber and its status duration. The scheduling principle uses the single task test machine working hours as the minimum granularity for time division multiplexing.

[0101] The test timeline control unit will establish the test timeline main control thread A, time period timing thread B and interface refresh control thread C. Thread A comprehensively manages the system test timeline and test task status. Thread A triggers thread B to calculate the time period length and controls the test timeline based on the calculation result of thread B. Thread A regularly triggers thread C to refresh the module interface and transmit the current test task status and progress information based on the module timer resources.

[0102] The test resource scheduling unit converts the scheduling instruction into a switch switching instruction through the LAN interface and transmits it to the 2-input 8-output switch matrix of Siyi Company, controls the RF path switching to achieve RF connectivity from the vector network to the matching station, and uses the TCP / IP protocol to receive the test resource scheduling command issued by the test timeline control unit. When receiving the scheduling command, it matches the test station by IP address, and after the match is successful, sends the test start information to the test execution module of the matching station to control it to perform test verification. After completing the test verification, the matching station sends the test end information to the test resource scheduling unit to remind it to release the test resources.

[0103] The test execution module runs on the test station, and includes a human-computer interaction unit B, a test task processing unit, a test index testing unit, and a test result storage unit.

[0104] The human-computer interaction unit B is composed of a test task status window, a test index result display window and a test task control window.

[0105] The test task processing unit communicates with the deployment module based on the TCP / IP protocol.

[0106] The test index test unit, when receiving the test start instruction from the test task processing unit, controls the test station to start powering the RF component and sending the communication protocol, and controls the Vector Network AV 3629D of Siyi Company through the LAN interface based on the VISA bus and SCPI protocol to set the test power, test frequency, S parameters and measurement channels according to the product model and environmental test status, and perform gain test on the RF component.

[0107] The test result storage unit stores the serial number, test curve, test conclusion and other information transmitted by the test index test unit into Microsoft's relational database SQL Server for storage.

[0108] The workflow of the deployment module is as follows Figure 2 As shown:

[0109] Step 1: Get started;

[0110] Step 2: Obtain test task information from the enterprise MES;

[0111] Step 3: Schedule test tasks for each test station in the system based on test resources and test task information;

[0112] Step 4: Control the RF switch matrix to achieve RF connectivity from the vector network to the designated workstation according to the test timeline and test resource scheduling instructions;

[0113] Step 5: Send the test start information to the test execution module;

[0114] Step 6: Wait for the test execution module to report the test end information;

[0115] Step 7: Start the next test task and loop until the task queue is processed;

[0116] Step 8: This concludes.

[0117] The workflow of the test execution module is as follows: Figure 3 As shown:

[0118] Step 1: Get started;

[0119] Step 2: Enable the test information monitoring service;

[0120] Step 3: Wait for the test start information sent by the deployment module;

[0121] Step 4: Perform test verification of test indicators;

[0122] Step 5: Save the test results;

[0123] Step 6: Report the test completion information to the deployment module;

[0124] Step 7: This concludes.

[0125] The results show that the test system of the present invention supports four workstations sharing one set of test resources to perform environmental tests on RF components. The above embodiments are preferred implementations of the present invention, but the implementations of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments. Various modifications and substitutions of the present invention will be obvious. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be defined by the attached claims.

[0126] The above are the implementation methods listed in this embodiment, but this embodiment is not limited to the above optional implementation methods. Those skilled in the art can arbitrarily combine the above methods to obtain other various implementation methods. Anyone can derive other various implementation methods under the inspiration of this embodiment. The above specific implementation methods should not be understood as limiting the protection scope of this embodiment. The protection scope of this embodiment should be based on the definition in the claims.

Claims

1. A radio frequency component environmental test system with multi-station shared test equipment, characterized in that: include: Allocation module, used for allocating resources; An execution module is used to control the conduct of the test; Environmental test module, including an environmental test chamber, in which several RF modules to be tested are placed; The test module includes a plurality of test stations, and the test stations correspond to the RF modules to be tested one by one. The test stations are connected to the RF modules for communication, and the test stations are used to supply power to the RF modules. The switch module cooperates with the processor module and the environmental test module to control the start and stop of the environmental test module. The switch module is respectively connected to the radio frequency module for communication and input and output of radio frequency signals; The network module cooperates with the switch module and the test module to transmit control instructions and form an instruction transmission link. When the network module is connected to the test module for communication, it is used to transmit test instructions and test results.

2. The RF component environmental test system of multi-station shared test equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The deployment module includes: Human-machine interaction unit A, used to display the test task information of each RF component test station and to control it through manual interaction; A test task management unit is used to schedule the test tasks of multiple test stations in the system according to the test task information; The test timeline control unit is used to control the test timeline; The test resource scheduling unit is used to switch the connection between the network module and the RF input and output interfaces of multiple test stations, thereby realizing the scheduling of the network module between different RF stations.

3. The RF component environmental test system of multi-station shared test equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The execution module includes: Human-machine interaction unit B, used to limit the experimental status information of the current test station and to control it through manual interaction; The test task processing unit is used to control the work of the test index test unit according to the scheduling instructions; A test index testing unit is used to control the network module to perform test index testing and verification on the radio frequency component and transmit the test results to the test result storage unit; The test result storage unit is used to feed back the test results to the human-computer interaction unit B for display and refresh, and write them into the database for storage.

4. The RF component environmental test system of multi-station shared test equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an industrial computer, the deployment module and the execution module are integrated into the industrial computer, the industrial computer is connected to the test module for transmitting scheduling instructions, and the industrial computer is connected to the switch module for controlling the on and off of the switch module.

5. The radio frequency component environmental test system of multi-station shared test equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The network module includes a router and a vector network.

6. The radio frequency component environmental test system of multi-station shared test equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The switch module includes a radio frequency switch matrix.

7. A method for environmental testing of radio frequency components of a multi-station shared testing device, using the environmental testing system described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: include: Generate several test tasks and set the task start time value; Coordinate and schedule the test tasks and arrange the start-up plan of the test tasks; Connect the RF components of the test task to be started to the transmission link and complete the test task; disconnect the RF components that have completed the test task from the transmission link; repeat the process until all RF components have completed the test task; Human-computer interaction is maintained during the test task, and the test results are transmitted for display and storage.

8. The radio frequency component environmental test method of multi-station shared test equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that: When coordinating and scheduling test tasks, the following process is followed: Get the test task; Schedule test tasks; Conduct experimental resource scheduling; Sending a test start instruction to the execution module; Wait for the execution module to feedback the test results. If the test task has not been completed, reschedule the test resources and start the test task until all test tasks are completed.

9. The radio frequency component environmental test method of multi-station shared test equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that: When executing the test task, follow the following process: Keep monitoring the test task information. When receiving the test task start information, perform the test task indicator test verification. Save the test verification results and send a test end signal to the deployment module, and the test task ends.

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